Joseph V. Mengel, 63, of Lititz, passed away at his son’s home surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 2, 2017, after a four-year fight with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Philadelphia and was the son of the late John A. Mengel Sr. and Thelma (Hostetter) Williams. Joe considered John his father who raised him, but his biological father was the late Anthony L. Rossi.

Joe was a graduate of Warwick High School. He was a devout Christian and was a member of LCBC in Manheim. Proud of his Lititz upbringing, he was a faithful volunteer and lifetime member with the Lititz Fire Company.

He was a former general president of Commonwealth Mailing, a division of LNP’s Intel Printing in East Petersburg. He later became the owner of Commonwealth Fulfillment and Distribution Co., in Ephrata. His first and still loyal employee is his former wife and best friend, Beverly (Eckert) Mengel.

Joe’s passion was his love for racecar announcing. He was a well-known NASCAR track announcer for many years. He announced races at Pocono International Speedway, Dover International Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway. For many years Joe was considered the voice of Pocono Speedway. He got his start announcing BMX in the early 1980s in Lititz at LRC Raceway, and then branched into Motocross racing, announcing at Sleepy Hollow MX Park, Fredericksburg. Joe then became the track announcer for Trailway Speedway in Hanover. He loved racing.

When Joe wasn’t working, announcing, or volunteering at the fire house, you could find him and his loyal dog, Bailey, at his home away from home at Gullsway Campground in Dagsboro, Del. Joe loved music and making people happy. He would host karaoke parties at his home or at the campground. Joe also loved cooking, especially his infamous cream of crab soup. He was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Joe was a loving and dedicated father and grandfather. He loved spending time with his family whenever and wherever he could.

He is survived by a son: Michael J. Mengel, husband of Teressa, of Lititz; and three granddaughters: Kayla L., Courtney L., and Nicole B. Mengel.

Friends may gather at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, to celebrate with the family on Thursday, May 9, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. following the gathering. Cremation will be held in the Snyder Crematory Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joe Mengel’s memory to Lititz Fire Company, P.O. Box 391, Lititz, PA 17543.

To send the family online condolences, visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, Lititz, handled the arrangements.